Radford students gain firsthand experience in policymaking through Government Relations internship

For two Radford University seniors, the path from the classroom to real-world impact led straight to Virginia’s capital.

Alivia Turner of Front Royal, Virginia, and Taylor Plapp of Purcellville, Virginia, members of the 2026 Government Relations Internship cohort, spent the spring semester immersed in the fast-paced environment of the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond. It was an experience that reshaped their understanding of government, strengthened their professional skills and clarified their future goals.

The semester-long internship places students in legislative offices during the General Assembly session before transitioning them back to campus to work with the Office of the President. The program is designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at policymaking while fostering mentorship, networking and career exploration.

“It’s one thing to learn about the government through academia and through the news and social media,” Turner explained during the March Board of Visitors presentation. “But it’s another thing to experience it for yourself.”

Turner, a sociology major with a minor in wicked problems, interned with Del. Sam Rasoul’s office. There, she quickly adapted to the demands of a professional political environment, working full-time hours and taking on a range of responsibilities from tracking legislation and attending committee meetings to creating social media content that translated complex policy into plain language.

“My responsibilities included attending and note-taking for my delegate’s committee and subcommittee assignments for bill tracking purposes,” she said. “I was also involved with social media content creation … as well as informative legislative graphics and plain language for constituents to understand.”

For Plapp, a psychology major with double minors in religious studies and leadership studies, the experience offered a similarly immersive look at state government. Working in Del. Jason Ballard’s office, she spent much of her time engaging directly with constituents and observing the legislative process in action.

“I got the special opportunity to meet with our own community members,” Plapp said. “The rest of my day was spent going to committee meetings and subcommittee meetings, taking notes, going to meetings where the delegate couldn’t be… and helping with communications.”

Both students emphasized that the internship challenged their preconceived notions about politics.

“Before the internship, I had a pretty negative view of the politics and policymaking process,” Plapp said. “After being able to experience firsthand the General Assembly session, it allowed me to really expand my understanding … and painted a more nuanced portrait of what goes on with policymakers in Virginia.”

She added that one of her biggest takeaways was the importance of collaboration.

“I learned that a lot of policymaking is balance and compromise,” she said. “Meaningful public service is really due to the support staff – from interns to legislative aides – the government really wouldn’t function without them.”

Beyond the day-to-day work, the internship also provided valuable networking opportunities, connecting students with Radford alumni working in state government and professionals across the political spectrum. These relationships, along with hands-on experience, helped both Turner and Plapp refine their career paths.

Turner, who plans to pursue a master’s in social work, said the experience helped her evaluate different professional options while strengthening her commitment to service. Plapp, meanwhile, said the internship reaffirmed her goal of attending law school and pursuing a career in constitutional and civil rights law.

The program’s structure ensures that the learning continues beyond Richmond. Following the conclusion of the General Assembly session, both students returned to Radford to continue their internships with the Office of the President, focusing on local government relations and special projects.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this program is watching students grow in real time,” said Lisa Ghidotti, assistant vice president for Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives. “They arrive in Richmond curious and eager, and they leave with a deeper understanding of government, a stronger sense of purpose and the confidence to pursue careers in public service.”

Interested in applying?

The Government Relations Internship Program application for the 2027 cohort will open in August 2026.

The competitive program requires an application, recommendations and an interview process, with selected students receiving training and placement in Richmond for the spring semester.

Students are encouraged to apply early and speak with faculty or advisors about how the internship can align with their academic and career goals.